High Performance cruiserr

Mannerberg has done a great design at rethinking the interior of this boat. There are three basic layouts: "Three-cabin deck saloon, two-cabin, and two-cabin deck saloon water ballasted." Let's focus on the three-cabin deck saloon layout. To my eye, it is the most unusual.

This layout features a dinette that seems to float in the middle of the boat, allowing a berth to extend aft under the dinette. This gives three separated sleeping cabins in a 33-foot LOA design. There is one head located aft and it appears to be quite snug, but I'm a firm believer in not devoting too much room to an area that sees such minimal use. The galley, too, is unusual, with a separated sink unit and no counter space on either side of the sinks. I do not think I'd like cooking in this galley. The other two layouts offer better galleys.

How did the designer squeeze so much interior into 33 feet? One way he did this was to reduce the size of the cockpit. From the photos I have, it appears that two adults and a child will fill this cockpit. Giving the designer the benefit of the doubt, I measure the extreme length of the cockpit at no more than 72 inches. I guess you don't sleep in the cockpit in Finland. I like elbow room in any cockpit. I like room to tack without asking everybody to move momentarily. I like room to stretch out and read.

Now let's take the bull by the horns and discuss styling. The Rondo has several design features that contribute to the unusual look. The sheerline is rolled with the toerail tucked inboard to reduce the definition of the actual sheerline. This amorphous sheer is accentuated by the lack of any punctuating cove stripe, and the stark and low single bootstripe. To this soft, radiused shape, add a deck and cabintrunk that looks like it fell straight out of a Jello mold. There is not a hard line anywhere. The dark, smoked acrylic windows further emphasize the rounded theme. Remember, rondo is an Italian music term that denotes a recurring theme. The hull and rig of the Rondo are designed for good performance. If you forget for a moment the copious accommodations of this design, what you have is an effective IMS boat. The hull pulls the volume aft with a broad transom with flattened sections. Assuming a DWL of 31 feet, the Rondo has a D/L of 133.

I like the fractional rig with the loose-footed mainsail. They set nicely, carrying the shape all the way to the deep foot. But, they are not so much fun when you drop the sail. "Come on dear, get the sail on top of the boom!" The SA/D is 26.45 based upon the sail area listed in the brochure. Somehow, this looks exaggerated to my eye, and I would think that if we based sail area on I, J, E and P, we may come up with a lower number.

This big, roomy 33-footer is so different, it will be a show stopper. I would prefer to see more than 18.2 gallons of fuel and 26 gallons of water, but compromise tends to rear its hoary head from time to time. I compliment the designer on an original design and look forward to more of his exciting work.